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Advances in Bioprocess Technology, 2nd Edition
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Advances in Bioprocess Technology, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Biological Processes and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 1471

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Francesca Raganati

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy
Interests: fermentation; bioreactors; bioprocess engineering; biomass conversion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alessandra Procentese

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
Interests: biomass pretreatment; enzymatic hydrolysis; fermentation; bioreacotor design
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The second edition of the Special Issue “Advances in Bioprocess Technology” aims to highlight cutting-edge research and technological developments in the field of bioprocessing, with particular attention to sustainable and eco-friendly approaches. Bioprocess technology plays a pivotal role in modern biotechnology, enabling the transformation of biological materials into valuable products such as biofuels, biochemicals, enzymes, and therapeutic agents. This Special Issue will cover the entire spectrum of bioprocesses, including upstream processing (e.g., medium preparation, microbial strain selection, and optimization), fermentation (the core bioconversion step using microbial or enzymatic systems), and downstream processing (product recovery, purification, and waste management).

Contributions addressing biomass conversion from lignocellulosic materials, gasification, enzymatic processes, and the valorization of agro-food waste are particularly encouraged. Moreover, studies focusing on the integration of biological and engineering principles, process modeling, scale-up, and optimization techniques are welcome. By bringing together experimental and theoretical research, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest advances driving innovation in bioprocess engineering and supporting the transition towards a bio-based and circular economy.

Dr. Francesca Raganati
Dr. Alessandra Procentese
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • bioprocess engineering
  • fermentation
  • upstream processing
  • downstream processing
  • biomass valorization
  • bioreactors
  • bio-based products

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 3642 KB  
Article
From Failures to Insights: The Role of Surge Tanks in Integrated and Continuous Bioprocessing for Antibody Production
by Masumi Nasukawa-Morimoto, Noriko Yamano-Adachi and Takeshi Omasa
Processes 2025, 13(10), 3336; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13103336 - 18 Oct 2025
Viewed by 172
Abstract
Continuous bioprocessing has great potential to address issues of flexibility, cost, and robustness in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Despite the identified benefits, continuous bioprocessing has not yet been adopted for commercial production owing to the difficulty of integrating the cultivation and purification processes. Surge tanks [...] Read more.
Continuous bioprocessing has great potential to address issues of flexibility, cost, and robustness in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Despite the identified benefits, continuous bioprocessing has not yet been adopted for commercial production owing to the difficulty of integrating the cultivation and purification processes. Surge tanks installed between unit operations play a critical role in integrated bioprocessing, but their role has not been fully understood and defined. In this study, we examined the function of surge tanks in an integrated and continuous bioprocessing (ICB) system. We developed the ICB train equipped with surge tanks, used a 10 L bioreactor to produce monoclonal antibodies, and conducted a 6-day experiment. During the experiment, unexpected issues related to the surge tanks emerged, and they were analyzed using a fault tree diagram. Key findings highlight the surge tanks’ role in balancing flow between upstream and downstream operations and raise considerations about antibody concentration fluctuations and residence time. Proposed improvements based on these findings include optimizing the capacity and placement of surge tanks, strengthening monitoring and control systems, and enabling the flexible adjustment of operating conditions. These measures are expected to further facilitate seamless upstream integration and contribute to the stability of the operation of the ICB system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioprocess Technology, 2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 3285 KB  
Article
Enzymatic Characterisation of a Whole-Cell Biocatalyst Displaying Sucrase A from Bacillus subtilis in Escherichia coli
by Jorge Sánchez-Andrade, Víctor E. Balderas-Hernández and Antonio De Leon-Rodriguez
Processes 2025, 13(10), 3330; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13103330 - 17 Oct 2025
Viewed by 299
Abstract
In this study, sucrase A (SacA) from Bacillus subtilis was successfully displayed on the outer membrane of Escherichia coli via fusion with the AIDA-I autotransporter from E. coli. The pAIDA-sacA plasmid was constructed by fusing sacA with the ctxB signal sequence [...] Read more.
In this study, sucrase A (SacA) from Bacillus subtilis was successfully displayed on the outer membrane of Escherichia coli via fusion with the AIDA-I autotransporter from E. coli. The pAIDA-sacA plasmid was constructed by fusing sacA with the ctxB signal sequence and the β-barrel domain of aida gene, enabling surface expression under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Functional expression of AIDA–SacA was confirmed by the appearance of reducing sugars in enzymatic assays of sucrose hydrolysis and by acid production on phenol red agar. Structural prediction suggested correct localisation of the catalytic domain on the extracellular surface. Enzymatic characterisation revealed that AIDA-SacA exhibits optimal activity at 40 °C and pH 7. The calculated Km for sucrose was 1.18 mM, while the corresponding Vmax was 2.32 U mL−1. Thermal stability assays showed that the enzyme retained over 80% of its activity after 60 min at 45 °C, indicating notable resistance to moderate temperatures. Metal ion assays indicated that K+ enhanced enzymatic activity, while Zn2+, Cu2+, and Mg2+ were inhibitory. SDS-PAGE analysis confirmed the expression of the recombinant fusion protein, with a distinct band at approximately 114 kDa corresponding to the expected size. These results demonstrate the feasibility of employing the AIDA-I system for the surface display of SacA in E. coli, providing a functional platform for future applications in whole-cell biocatalysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioprocess Technology, 2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 615 KB  
Article
Enhancing Tetradesmus sp. Biomass Recovery: The Influence of Culture Media on Surface Physicochemical Properties
by Ana Carolina Anzures-Mendoza, Ulises Páramo-García, Nohra Violeta Gallardo-Rivas, Luciano Aguilera-Vázquez and Ana María Mendoza-Martínez
Processes 2025, 13(10), 3099; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13103099 - 27 Sep 2025
Viewed by 314
Abstract
Efficient biomass harvesting remains one of the primary barriers to the commercial feasibility of large-scale microalgal production. This study investigates the effect of different culture media on the surface physicochemical properties of Tetradesmus sp., with emphasis on their role in natural aggregation. Cultures [...] Read more.
Efficient biomass harvesting remains one of the primary barriers to the commercial feasibility of large-scale microalgal production. This study investigates the effect of different culture media on the surface physicochemical properties of Tetradesmus sp., with emphasis on their role in natural aggregation. Cultures were grown for 30 days under controlled light and temperature conditions using Blue Green 11 (BG11), Tris–acetate–phosphate (TAP), and deionized water supplemented with Bayfolan® fertilizer. Surface hydrophobicity was assessed through microbial adhesion to solvents (MATS) and contact angle analysis, electrokinetic properties were evaluated by zeta potential measurements, and cell surface chemistry was characterized by attenuated total reflectance (ATR) sampling methodology for Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Across all treatments, Tetradesmus sp. exhibited inherent hydrophobicity, but Bayfolan® supplementation yielded the highest contact angle (49.0 ± 0.9°) and the least negative free energy of interaction (ΔGsws = −26.36 mJ·m−2), indicating a stronger tendency toward self-aggregation. Zeta potential values remained consistently negative (−10 to −14 mV), with no significant variation among media, suggesting that hydrophobic interactions rather than electrostatic forces govern aggregation. ATR-FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates, with changes in peak intensities reflecting metabolic adjustments to media composition. These results demonstrate that low-cost Bayfolan® supplementation enhances surface hydrophobicity and aggregation, providing a sustainable strategy to facilitate biomass recovery and reduce harvesting costs in microalgal biorefineries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioprocess Technology, 2nd Edition)
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16 pages, 1579 KB  
Article
Fourier Optimization and Linear-Algebra-Based Combination of Controls to Improve Bioethanol Production
by María C. Fernández, María N. Pantano, Leandro Rodríguez, María C. Groff, María L. Montoro and Gustavo Scaglia
Processes 2025, 13(9), 2792; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13092792 - 31 Aug 2025
Viewed by 471
Abstract
The development of efficient strategies for optimizing and controlling nonlinear bioprocesses remains a significant challenge due to their complex dynamics and sensitivity to operating conditions. This work addresses the problem by proposing a two-step methodology applied to a laboratory-scale fed-batch bioethanol process. The [...] Read more.
The development of efficient strategies for optimizing and controlling nonlinear bioprocesses remains a significant challenge due to their complex dynamics and sensitivity to operating conditions. This work addresses the problem by proposing a two-step methodology applied to a laboratory-scale fed-batch bioethanol process. The first step employs a dynamic optimization approach based on Fourier parameterization and orthonormal polynomials, which generates smooth and continuous substrate-feed profiles using only three parameters instead of the ten required by piecewise approaches. The second step introduces a controller formulated through basic linear algebra operations, which ensures accurate trajectory tracking of the optimized state variables. Simulation results demonstrate a 3.65% increase in ethanol concentration at the end of the process, together with an accumulated tracking error of only 0.0189 under nominal conditions. In addition, the closed-loop strategy outperforms open-loop implementation when the initial conditions deviate from their nominal values. These findings highlight that the proposed methodology reduces mathematical complexity and computational effort while producing continuous control profiles suitable for practical application. The combination of optimization and algebraic control thus provides a promising alternative for improving the efficiency of bioethanol-production processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioprocess Technology, 2nd Edition)
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